Cairns Airport Car Hire Facts: What You Need to Know
Cairns Airport location
Cairns Airport is located north of the city centre, and is accessible via Airport Avenue. There are two terminals; T1 is the International Terminal and T2 is the Domestic Terminal. You can find the car hire counters for the car hire companies at Cairns Airport in the arrivals hall of both terminals.
Car hire companies at Cairns Airport
We partner with a range of local and international car rental companies at Cairns Airport, including:
Ace Rental Cars
Apex Car Rentals
Alamo
Avis
Bargain Car Rentals
Budget
Dollar
East Coast Car Rentals
Enterprise
Europcar
Hertz
Jucy
Keddy
National
Sixt
Simba Car Hire
Thrifty
All of these companies have a range of vehicles to choose from, which you can compare when you make a search.
Picking up your hire car at Cairns Airport
To collect your hire car, proceed to the counter of your chosen car hire company in the arrivals area of of the Cairns Airport Terminal building. Once you have checked-in, you will be directed to the rental car park to collect your vehicle. This is located a short walk across the road from the terminal.
If the car rental company is located away from the airport, then a shuttle bus service will be provided to get you to their depot. For example, Bargain Car Rentals will provide you with a phone number to call to arrange a pick up. Generally, you will be directed to the courtesy coach pickup zone to wait for your shuttle. Other companies away from the airport include East Coast Rentals, Apex Car Rentals, Ace Rental Cars, Jucy and Mystery Brand.
Cairns Airport map
Returning your Cairns Airport car hire
The process for returning your hire car to the airport is straightforward. If you have hired the car from an on-airport rental company, such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar or Sixt, you will need to drive to the airport and follow the signs for car rental returns. If you have hired from a rental car company located away from the airport, simply drive back to the same location you collected the car from. You can then get a shuttle bus back to the airport. Make sure you return the hire car with a full petrol tank to avoid extra charges.
Some car rental companies offer after hours returns, which will be outlined if your rental agreement. Make sure to check beforehand if you are able to do this. It is usually as straightforward as returning your car to the designated parking spot, then dropping the vehicle keys in a drop box located outside the office.
Why Book a Cairns Airport Car Rental at Airport Rentals
Airport Rentals is your go-to Cairns Airport car hire comparison website. We make it easy to find a hire car by bringing leading rental brands together in one place. You can then compare and book the perfect car for your holiday or business trip.
No Booking Fees
When it comes to the cost of a hire car, no one likes surprises. That's why we show you exactly what you need to pay and when, without any added booking fees.
Plenty of Car Hire Deals
If you're looking for a cheap Cairns Airport car hire, Airport Rentals has you covered. We work hard to bring you great deals, to make sure you're getting the best bang for you buck. What's more, deals are automatically applied in search results, so you don't need to apply any promo codes or vouchers.
Free Cancellation on Most Vehicles
We understand that plans change, so Airport Rentals offers free cancellation on most vehicles. As long as you cancel your booking at least 48 hours prior to pick-up, any deposit you have paid will be refunded to you.
Award-winning Customer Service
Have a question, or need help with your booking? You can contact us anytime and one of our friendly customer service team will be here to get you on the road.
Manage Your Booking Online, Anytime
You don't need to scour your emails to find your booking details, or find out where the car rental desks are at Cairns Airport. Just login to our website and all of these details will be available, as well as options to amend or cancel your booking.
Top Car Brands to Hire at Cairns Airport
Kia cars for hire at Cairns Airport
You can rent a range of Kia cars at Cairns Airport from across categories, including Economy cars such as the Kia Picanto, Intermediate cars like the Kia Cerato, SUVs such as the Kia Stonic and People Movers like the Kia Carnival.
Toyota cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Need a reliable hire car? There are a lot of great Toyota vehicles to rent from Cairns Airport, starting with the smaller Toyota Corolla, which comes as both a Sedan, Hatch and Hybrid version. Toyota SUVs include the Toyota Kluga, Prado and RAV4. They also have a Van option, which is the 12 seat Toyota Commuter.
Skoda cars for hire at Cairns Airport
If you're interested in a European vehicle, you'll find options from Skoda including the Intermediate Skoda Scala and the Skoda Kamiq SUV.
Hyundai cars for hire at Cairns Airport
The very popular Hyundai i30 is available to rent from Cairns Airport, as well as the Hyundai Kona SUV, and the 7 seat Hyundai Staria.
Audi cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Audi has a few options at Cairns Airport, including Premium options like the Audi Q3 and Q5 SUVs.
Compare Top Car Rental Companies at Cairns Airport
Avis cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Avis is a well known brand worldwide. At Cairns Airport, you can find everything from Compact, Intermediate, Large, SUV, Hybrid and People Carriers.
East Coast Rentals cars for hire at Cairns Airport
East Coast Car Rentals is Australian owned and operated and has a range of vehicles available, including Economy, Intermediate, SUV, Hybrid and Compact vehicles.
Sixt cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Operated by the NRMA in Australia, Sixt has every category of vehicle to rent from Cairns Airport.
Jucy cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Jucy might be most well known for their colourful campervans, but they also offer rental cars, including Comact, Intermediate and SUVs.
Alamo cars for hire at Cairns Airport
Alamo is another global brand operating at Cairns Airport, offering cheap car hire across vehicle categories.
Cairns Airport car hire - Frequently asked questions
How much does a hire car cost from Cairns Airport?
Airport rentals, Cairns, QLD vary in cost based on season, the type of car, how long you rent for, and any car hire deal we have available. However, on average, you can expect to pay approximately $50 AUD to over $150 AUD a day. Make a search now for up to date pricing and availability.
What is the most popular hire car from Cairns Airport?
People travelling to Cairns are usually interested in exploring Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest, Tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Therefore a comfortable SUV is a popular choice for travellers, with lots of options being available at the airport.
When do I need to book a car rental Cairns?
We always recommend booking as far in advance as possible to help find the right hire car at the right price. This would typically be at least 3 months before your travel dates, or longer if you're travelling during summer or a special event.
Is it cheaper to book a car rental for the week from Cairns Airport?
It can be cheaper to rent a car at Cairns Airport for a longer timeframe. Rental companies will sometime offer a cheaper day rate. To compare prices across different travel dates, make a search now.
Can I make a one-way car rental booking from Cairns?
Yes, rental companies like Avis, Hertz, Europcar and others located at Cairns Airport, also have depots in other Australia cities that you can return your rental car to. Simply select a different return location in our search and you will be able to see the options available.
How old do I have to be to rent a car from Cairns Airport?
Generally, you need to be at least 25 to hire a car from Cairns Airport. Some companies, such as Hertz, Thrifty and Bargain Car Rentals allow renters aged 21-24, however they may charge an extra fee for this, which will be displayed during the booking process.
